Tag: historical mystery

This Chick Read: The Sisterhood (Lady Emily Mysteries #19) by Tasha Alexander

Dropping into a series at book 19 should’ve been more difficult, but it was surprisingly easy to catch up on the character arc’s and any back stories I may have missed. In fact, I was pleased that the story moved quickly and I wasn’t completely lost. Lady Emily and her husband are brought in to investigate the death of an acquaintance. Victoria had just gotten engaged and was dancing at a ball with her fiancé when she dropped dead- poisoned by yew leaves. As Emily investigates and interviews the various suspects she finds that there’s a group of young women who have a mysterious link to an ancient Britain queen, and Victoria was one of those women.

The author tells two stories side by side. The first is the story of Vatta, an ancient Britain woman who becomes friends with the famous queen Boudica. The story of her trying to find her place during a Roman occupation provides a juxtaposition of the investigation into Victoria’s death and her belonging to this group of young liberal women who want to fight for their rights as women. I’ll admit that I felt a little lost while reading Vatta’s story, but when the connection was made it became clear the connection the author was trying to make. The investigation itself, was a little more interesting and I did wish the author had stuck to that story line instead of providing the back and forth.

Reading this nineteenth book in the series, I could see that Lady Emily had led quite an interesting life. I think I’d go back and start at the first novel just to see how she broke into investigating murders and how she moved from husband number 1 to husband number 2! If you’re worried that you shouldn’t start a book this far into a series, I think you’ll be ok and in fact you may find that you too want to see where it all started!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Sisterhood

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*Amazon Associate- if you purchased this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: A Silence in Belgrave Square (A Below Stairs Mystery #8) by Jennifer Ashley

Kat Holloway’s beau Daniel McAdam has a talent for dangerous work as a Scotland Yard agent. When his boss puts him on a dangerous case and promises that this will be his last one if he can solve it. On an investigation of her own, Kat discovers some of her friends and colleagues have been victims of blackmail. If Kat and Daniel wish to save each other and the crown they must prove the blackmailer’s identity and stop the ones who are trying to eliminate them.

This novel really had a sense of urgency because Kat spent a good majority of her time worrying over Daniel’s safety. Of course, being an investigator herself, she couldn’t stand by with Daniel in possible danger, she was going to do everything possible to keep him safe. When her own investigation begins to parallel Daniel’s the reader realizes that Kat too, may be in danger. The pace and tension in the story build until I was literally on the edge of my seat.

With Daniel’s life in possible danger, Kat must face her feelings for him, and there are some very tender scenes (finally!). I was afraid this meant the series was over, but low and behold, a 9th book is on pre-order already so never fear, or intrepid amateur sleuth and her beau will be back in action solving mysteries again in the near future. I can’t wait! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* A Silence in Belgrave Square

Copyright 2025 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate – if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy #1) by Mimi Matthews

Just outside of London lies an institution with a secretive aim, to train young women to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy. When a powerful lord’s systemic attacks on young women’s rights in Parliament, the Academy sends for one of their best pupils to infiltrate the lord’s inner circle. If she brings down the viscount she earns her freedom. Betting shop owner Gabriel Royce has different plans for the viscount. He needs his support to help him rebuild the rookeries of St. Giles and Effie’s plans completely stand in his way. Effie and Gabriel engage in a battle of wits and wills that’s complicated by a blossoming desire.

Mimi Matthews delivers another really great historical romance. This time with the theme of women’s rights. Although I got the feeling that Effie was more interested in her freedom at first, but as the story moved forward you could feel her shift to believing that what she was fighting for was in fact what was best for her. Her attraction to Gabriel was immediate and their conflict gave a really great tug and pull of both their developing feelings but also where they stood in the fight for womens rights. Gabriel had his own interests he wanted to protect, but it ended up being the love of a good woman that won him over in the end.

This author has always shown us different sides of London society and this novel was no different. Although Effie was passing herself off as a lady, she had a mysterious background that was a sub-plot and gave insight into her actions. She and Gabriel ended up having a lot in common which drew them together as well. With the addition of a truly reprehensible bad guy to add more conflict to an already great story this one you shouldn’t miss reading. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* Rules for Ruin

Copyright 2025 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chicks Audio Review: What the Devil Knows (Sebastian St. Cyr #16) by C. S. Harris

In 1811, two entire families were viciously murdered in their homes. A suspect–a young seaman named John Williams–was arrested. But before he could be brought to trial, Williams hanged himself in his cell. The murders ceased, and London slowly began to breathe easier. But when the lead investigator, Sir Edwin Pym, is killed in the same brutal way three years later and others possibly connected to the original case meet violent ends, the city is paralyzed with terror once more. 

Was the wrong man arrested for the murders? Bow Street magistrate Sir Henry Lovejoy turns to his friend Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, for assistance. Pym’s colleagues are convinced his manner of death is a coincidence, but Sebastian has his doubts. The more he looks into the three-year-old murders, the more certain he becomes that the hapless John Williams was not the real killer. Which begs the question–who was and why are they dead set on killing again?

I’ve listened to Davina Porter narrate sixteen novels in this series and I’m nervous about starting number seventeen because she’s retired and I’ll have to hear my favorite characters voiced by another narrator. I’m sure it will be fine, but sixteen books is a commitment! I think I’ve been trying to play catch-up on this series for four or five years- at least! Davina Porter does such an amazing job with accents and portrays men and women equally well. She is truly an artist and will be missed. I do wish her well in her retirement.

What keeps me coming back to these Sebastian St. Cyr stories? Despite the talented Davina Porter, it’s my love for these characters, their development, and especially the mysteries. The Viscount Devlin with his penchant for disguises and ability to not only interrogate his peers, but also the classes beneath him makes his character real allowing the reader to become a part of his thought process. What the Devil Knows was a little slower than some of the previous novels, but not because of a lack of action. I think Devlin survived two or three attempts on his life but never gave up his desire to find out the truth behind the malicious killings of these families. Very honorable!

If you love historical mysteries and are looking for a series to dive into, please give this one a try, but start with the first book! These characters grow and evolve and that has been a large part of why I’ve stuck with them and have continued to enjoy the characters. Enjoy! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* What the Devil Knows

Copyright 2025 the Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: A Measure of Menace (Kat Holloway Mystery) by Jennifer Ashley

While the residing family is in the country, cook, Kat Holloway and staff maintain the London residence. When Lord Clifford, Lady Cynthia’s confidence-trickster father arrives in London and asks for Kat’s help because he might be charged with murder, Kat and her beau, Daniel McAdam, will do all that’s possible to solve the murder and keep Lord Clifford out of jail and spare Lady Cynthia’s reputation from ruin.

This short novella told a full length mystery in just 112 pages. As a fan of this series I didn’t have any trouble understanding the intricacies of Lord Clifford’s shady character, or what it would mean to his daughter and wife if he were to be arrested. I loved how the author quickly gave the reader a number of suspects other than Lord Clifford, and took us through Kat’s thinking process as she solved the mystery.

Kat Holloway and her close friend Daniel are such great characters whom this author has spent multiple books creating backstories, emotional conflict and resolutions, and telling the various comings and goings that involved with running a kitchen in Victorian London. I love jumping into these mysteries and seeing what these characters will learn, find out, and in some way advance their multi- novel story arc’s. Jennifer Ashley has done a great job creating this small universe in London and as a fan, I eagerly read each and every new novel she releases. A Measure of Menace, even at only 112 pages, was no different, and just as great as her full length novels.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* A Measure of Menace

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchased this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chicks Audio Review: Who Speaks for the Damned (Sebastian St. Cyr Mysteries #15) By C.S. Harris

Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is brought in to investigate the murder of the son of the Earl of Seaford. Long thought dead, after sent off to Botany Bay after being tried for murder, Nicholas Hayes turns up alive in London where he looks up Sebastian’s valet, Jules Calhoun. With Calhoun’s help, Sebastian starts to piece together his last days as well as the days 18 years before when he was accused and found guilty of murder.

Narrated by the estimable Davina Porter, the Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries is one of my favorite series when I know I’ll have time to really listen to the details this very talented writer builds into her novels. All of the characters in this world are fully developed and each book releases another mystery about one of our main characters that keeps me coming back.

The mystery in Who Speaks for the Damned centers around a man who had been though dead for years, but when he shows back up in London with a small child Sebastian unearths a handful of villainous characters who may or may not be the murderer. At the heart of the story is the search for the child who is now all alone on the mean streets of 18th century London. A small child can easily come to harm and the way the author created tension through the emotions the females in this novel felt regarding this lost child really helped to amp up the need to find the killer.

As usual, the author really gives a multi-layered view of society during the 18th century in London. From street sweepers to the Prince Regent you can see the different ways each layer of society lived and how privileged the nobility were during this time. That is another reason why I love these books because our hero, despite being a Viscount, believes that every person deserves recognition and their loves should be honored. This is why he investigates their murders. A very noble Noble!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

Click this link to purchase this audiobook!* Who Speaks for the Damned

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: Speculations in Sin (Below Stairs #7) by Jennifer Ashley

Kat Holloway is distressed to learn that Samuel Millburn, husband of the woman who looks after her daughter, has been accused of embezzling funds from the bank where he works as a clerk. The accusation is absurd, and Samuel’s wife fears that her husband will not only lose his post but be imprisoned. Kat vows to uncover the truth.

When she discovers the bank is involved in shockingly murky business dealings, Kat realizes she’s treading in dangerous waters. She turns to her confidante and handsome suitor, Daniel McAdam, for help. To exonerate Samuel, Kat and Daniel may have to expose the unseemly financial dealings of prominent aristocrats and government officials, and even those working to bring down the royal family. Kat will risk everything to protect the man who has sacrificed so much for her daughter, even if it means endangering herself and the friends she has come to love.

When it comes to solving mysteries, Kat Holloway has the skill but in Speculations in Sin Kat has skin in the game and works hard to find the embezzler/killer. Sam Millburn and his wife, Kat’s dearest friend, have been essentially raising her daughter since she must work as a Head Cook. This mystery takes the reader beyond the London peerage, where her mysteries usually lie, into the murky world of finance. Something that Kat doesn’t have a lot of knowledge about, but what she does have is the experience at reading human interactions and situations. In that way the bank is kind of like a household and in this case that old adage of “follow the money” really does solve the mystery.

I’ve enjoyed reading this series and like Kat’s strength of character in this age that doesn’t give women a lot of room for error or growth. She’s done well cooking for a society household, has made friends from many ranks in society, and is managing a slow moving romance with Daniel McAdam. I’d like to see that third thing move along a little quicker because I think being with Daniel, who is also an investigator of sorts, would open doors for Kat that could prove interesting in helping to solve future cases. I also do love a good romance. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Speculations in Sin

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*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: A Grave Robbery (Veronica Speedwell #9) by Deanna Raybourn

Lord Rosemarren purchases a wax figure of a beautiful woman reclining and asks Stoker to install a clock mechanism to give the Rosemarren Collection its own Sleeping Beauty, a la Madame Tussaud’s. When Stoker cuts into the woman he makes a gruesome discovery. This woman is not a wax figure but a perfectly preserved body. Who is this woman and why would someone preserve her like this? As Veronica and Stoker investigate the scientific community they find themselves pursued by someone who wants the Beauty back and will do anything to make that happen.

I love the uncommon pairing of Veronica Speedwell, lepidopterist and illegitimate child of the Prince royal, and Stoker, her lover and friend. His knowledge of taxidermy and the preservation of beings is stretched to the limit in this investigation and while the discovery of the preserved woman is gruesome, they both want to do right by her, find her family, and give her a proper burial. Unfortunately for them, an obsessed scientist wants her back for their own which puts them, once again, in peril.

Despite the setting of Victorian England, this novel reads more regency romance, with an investigation by day and fade to black love scenes at night. Despite, or maybe because of the romance I enjoyed this novel more than the previous couple of books in this series. More so because of the eccentric side characters, but also because the two main protagonists are just so interesting to read about. Neither of them are perfect, nor do they want to be. Although at times they are too smart for their own good. A Grave Robbery was a refreshing addition to this somewhat steady series. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* A Grave Robbery

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: A Sinister Revenge (Veronica Speedwell #8) by Deanna Raybourn

Intrepid heroine and lepidopterist, Veronica Speedwell, has been separated from her beau Stoker for quite a few months when his brother Tiberius, Lord Templeton-Vane requests their help in solving a murder. Off they go to Bavaria to tempt Stoker from his foray in the woods with an offer to fix up an iguanodon for a dinner party. As the other guests arrive Veronica gets caught up in solving the mystery but doesn’t forget that she needs to heal the breach between she and Stoker as well.

This series has evolved over time from a solid historical mystery that now mixes in a healthy dose of romance. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a bodice ripper, but there is a healthy bit of emotional content. I have totally bought into the Veronica/Stoker romance. They are both smart, eccentric, and physical. Veronica’s background as an orphan with royal ties raised by two “aunts” is a perfect contrast to Stoker’s privileged yet troubled upbringing. When they initially met it was an attraction of the minds, but the inevitable happened and their relationship became more. I’ll admit I have a tendre for well written romances and Veronica and Stoker’s rate right up there for me.

As much as I talk about the romance between our two main characters, these are truly historical mysteries. A Sinister Revenge had all the drama of a great whodunnit and my head was spinning trying to figure out who the culprit might be. I’ll admit to being a little surprised, which is all I can ask from the author. I enjoyed Tiberius, as always. He’s such a devilish character and really likes to get under his brother Stoker’s skin. Because this was a house party mystery, there were a lot of fun new characters to get to know as well. It never got boring and the story moved very quickly for me.

This is the eighth book in the series so if you’d like the back stories, start with book #1. If you don’t care and just want a good mystery, go ahead and dig right in. I think you know which side of the line I fall on- the development of the relationships of the characters make this story even more enjoyable for me, so that’s what I’d recommend. Either way, Deanna Raybourn is a great storyteller and I think you’ll enjoy this novel. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* A Sinister Revenge

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chicks Audio Review: Why Kill the Innocent (Sebastian St. Cyr #13) by C. S. Harris

It is London, 1814, and Jane Ambrose, music teach to Princess Charlotte, is found dead in a city street. Because of her ties to the royal family, they quickly try to shut down the investigation, but Sebastian St. Cyr and his wife hero refuse to allow the murderer to roam free. As their investigation unwinds it becomes apparent that there are a number of secrets being withheld and suspects who remain free.

I chose to listen to this audiobook after returning from a trip to London. I visited many of the places mentioned in this novel and I will admit that being able to visualize the places really added to my enjoyment of an already very well written and narrated novel. I was excited to learn more about Princess Charlotte who’s tomb I had just seen in the chapel at Windsor Castle. That guide had said that her monument was paid for by the public who loved her, and as Why Kill the Innocent unfolds, while fictional, also held true to her mistreatment by her father the Prince Regent.

From the moment that Jane Ambrose’s body was found, Hero was invested in finding out who could have murdered this gentlewoman. An educated woman with a gift in musical composition, she was held back from achieving accolades for her music just because she was a woman. As the novel unfolds we see how the last few days of Jane’s life held revelations that would make her act contradictorily to her nature leading her down the path to her death. Whenever I read a historical novel that focuses on a woman and her plight I feel so fortunate to have been born later in history but at the same time wished I had been able to fight for those changes to be made. Having a heroine like Hero, who is as modern as they come for this time in history, and see life through her eyes makes it even more real as I really identify with her independent nature. She is integral to Sebastian’s investigations in most of these later novels but especially in Why Kill the Innocent because of its political nature and her father’s involvement as a cousin to the Prince.

I have enjoyed listening to these audiobooks narrated by the esteemed Davina Porter. She is an amazing talent and I enjoy her voicing what sounds like 50- 100 different voices in each novel. I’m sure it’s not that many, but through Sebastian’s investigations he talks to many people, both male and female, accented and unaccented, and from different levels of society. Truly, I’m not sure how she does it but I enjoy listening to her a lot. If you haven’t listened to this narrator, please click on her name on Amazon and try book #1 in this series or Outlander. I promise you will enjoy her voice.

Why Kill the Innocent was a true mystery in that I didn’t guess who killed Jane Ambrose and enjoyed the reveal as it happened within the story. I love seeing the progression of all of the characters from book to book and look forward to seeing where they lead me in the next. If you haven’t read any of these stories, I think you could listen or read this one and enjoy the story, but I really think your experience will elevate if you know the characters as I do from book one. They have come a long way and I’ve enjoyed every moment. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Why Kill the Innocent

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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